Leather Cupholder Insert - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

djcfuzz · 11-15-2013, 07:27 AM

I sold the above leather insert to a happy C5er and have been using this one below since early 2014. I hand crafted the one below as well. The new one matches my custom RS ultra padded console cover that I put together.

djcfuzz · 11-15-2013, 07:40 AM

As a note, this is a DIY for you. I can't make you one. If you need help making yours I would be glad to assist.

Items used for this include:
- Black leather piece purchased at Hobby Lobby with coupon, about 3 square feet
- Fiber board base, just dense cardboard, thin wood from a craft store would work as well
- High Density foam purchased from fabric store, my piece was green
- Fabric Glue, I used Aleene's OK to Wash It glue but Fabric Fusion would work as well, not sure about Tacky Glue

Also, craft and fabric stores usually have coupons for one item discount, I used coupons for the leather and also one for the foam.

djcfuzz · 11-15-2013, 07:57 AM

I was looking for a leather insert that provides arm rest comfort when driving and is easily removable to hold a beverage. I did a good deal of searching to see if anyone offered such a piece. Something similar was offered a couple years back but that webiste is no longer up, maybe out of business. I did see one other but it wasn't what I wanted. This piece fits snug enough to my liking and simply lifts right out. It represents some experimentation as I had two prototypes prior.

I originally tried using polyfill instead of foam and it was too lumpy. Also, I did my proof of concept with fake leather from a fabric store, as the real leather is not cheap.

The fiber board is cut to loosely fit in the cupholder area. Then I cut the foam with a utility knife into the shape I wanted to fit into the cupholder area. As a note, the back is thicker and not as wide and as it moves forward it was cut thinner and wider as the picture shows. The flat part of the foam stays on the top. The other sides can be rough cut, just keep the top as the nice side.

I then laid out my leather face down, put the foam face down and then board and folded the leather kind of like wrapping a present. I was careful to make sure the top of the leather looked good and took my time gluing it by doing it in stages, glue the first fold, wait until it sets for an hour or two then glue the next fold and so on. Taking my time and being careful not to get glue on the outside of the leather, especially the top. I also used some painters tape to hold in place while drying. The glue can be messy and if you don't take your time and use paper towels to clean as you go you could end up ruining the piece of leather. I know this from experience with my prototype with the fake leather.

Let it dry over night and make sure it is completely dry then place in cupholder. Do not put the wet piece in the car as you could also get glue in your car. If you need to test fitment just fold it and use tape to hold it temporarily. Drive and enjoy.

Edit: It should be noted that I used a piece of hobby board for the newer one and an air stapler and glue.

el ess A · 11-15-2013, 08:03 AM

Interesting idea and a nice approach. Looks pretty good.

But why cover the cup holders? Is it just for looks or what? Just asking. I guess the cup holes don't bother me that much.

djcfuzz · 11-15-2013, 08:10 AM

Thanks. I guess I am just lazy and like a place to rest my arm.

el ess A · 11-15-2013, 08:27 AM

haha! Well, that's a good enough reason I suppose.

chevy 3 · 11-15-2013, 09:11 PM

I like your setup. I'm going to try later this winter.
I think the console looks cleaner without the cup holder.

djcfuzz · 11-16-2013, 08:20 AM

chevy 3 · 11-16-2013, 08:27 AM

Good job.

tramtwo · 11-16-2013, 09:15 AM

Nice

ihada69L78 · 11-16-2013, 09:25 AM

Nice idea. I like it!

djcfuzz · 11-04-2014, 07:32 PM

Updated first post with new pics...

Spartan01 · 11-05-2014, 08:59 AM

RPI Designs used to sell one of these. I bought it, then they dropped it from their product line.

It is way more comfortable when cruising, and I think it adds a cleaner look to the interior.

trashmanssd · 11-05-2014, 10:35 AM

I may have to try, But I am not very handy with that type of stuff. Love the Idea I have been looking to buy one for while. I hate the way it feels in a Standard with your hand on the shifter your arm sits in the cup holders very awkward feeling.

11-15-2013, 07:27 AM	#1
djcfuzz Do somethin fun every day Drives: 2012 45th V6 RS M6 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: North Port, FL Posts: 1,012 View My Garage	Leather Cupholder Insert I sold the above leather insert to a happy C5er and have been using this one below since early 2014. I hand crafted the one below as well. The new one matches my custom RS ultra padded console cover that I put together. __________________ My garage: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/camaro...=view&id=16627 Last edited by djcfuzz; 09-23-2014 at 06:38 PM. Reason: Added pic

11-15-2013, 07:40 AM	#2
djcfuzz Do somethin fun every day Drives: 2012 45th V6 RS M6 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: North Port, FL Posts: 1,012 View My Garage	As a note, this is a DIY for you. I can't make you one. If you need help making yours I would be glad to assist. Items used for this include: - Black leather piece purchased at Hobby Lobby with coupon, about 3 square feet - Fiber board base, just dense cardboard, thin wood from a craft store would work as well - High Density foam purchased from fabric store, my piece was green - Fabric Glue, I used Aleene's OK to Wash It glue but Fabric Fusion would work as well, not sure about Tacky Glue Also, craft and fabric stores usually have coupons for one item discount, I used coupons for the leather and also one for the foam. __________________ My garage: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/camaro...=view&id=16627 Last edited by djcfuzz; 11-15-2013 at 08:38 AM.

11-15-2013, 07:57 AM	#3
djcfuzz Do somethin fun every day Drives: 2012 45th V6 RS M6 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: North Port, FL Posts: 1,012 View My Garage	I was looking for a leather insert that provides arm rest comfort when driving and is easily removable to hold a beverage. I did a good deal of searching to see if anyone offered such a piece. Something similar was offered a couple years back but that webiste is no longer up, maybe out of business. I did see one other but it wasn't what I wanted. This piece fits snug enough to my liking and simply lifts right out. It represents some experimentation as I had two prototypes prior. I originally tried using polyfill instead of foam and it was too lumpy. Also, I did my proof of concept with fake leather from a fabric store, as the real leather is not cheap. The fiber board is cut to loosely fit in the cupholder area. Then I cut the foam with a utility knife into the shape I wanted to fit into the cupholder area. As a note, the back is thicker and not as wide and as it moves forward it was cut thinner and wider as the picture shows. The flat part of the foam stays on the top. The other sides can be rough cut, just keep the top as the nice side. I then laid out my leather face down, put the foam face down and then board and folded the leather kind of like wrapping a present. I was careful to make sure the top of the leather looked good and took my time gluing it by doing it in stages, glue the first fold, wait until it sets for an hour or two then glue the next fold and so on. Taking my time and being careful not to get glue on the outside of the leather, especially the top. I also used some painters tape to hold in place while drying. The glue can be messy and if you don't take your time and use paper towels to clean as you go you could end up ruining the piece of leather. I know this from experience with my prototype with the fake leather. Let it dry over night and make sure it is completely dry then place in cupholder. Do not put the wet piece in the car as you could also get glue in your car. If you need to test fitment just fold it and use tape to hold it temporarily. Drive and enjoy. Edit: It should be noted that I used a piece of hobby board for the newer one and an air stapler and glue. __________________ My garage: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/camaro...=view&id=16627 Last edited by djcfuzz; 09-23-2014 at 06:45 PM. Reason: Add Edit

11-15-2013, 08:03 AM	#4
el ess A Older Than Dirt Drives: 2010 & 2013 Camaros Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Aiken, SC Posts: 4,563	Interesting idea and a nice approach. Looks pretty good. But why cover the cup holders? Is it just for looks or what? Just asking. I guess the cup holes don't bother me that much. __________________ 2010 2SS TE, 1 of 822/2013 Camaro ZL1 vert, 1 of 54

11-15-2013, 08:10 AM	#5
djcfuzz Do somethin fun every day Drives: 2012 45th V6 RS M6 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: North Port, FL Posts: 1,012 View My Garage	Thanks. I guess I am just lazy and like a place to rest my arm. __________________ My garage: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/camaro...=view&id=16627 Last edited by djcfuzz; 11-15-2013 at 08:28 AM.

11-15-2013, 08:27 AM	#6
el ess A Older Than Dirt Drives: 2010 & 2013 Camaros Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Aiken, SC Posts: 4,563	haha! Well, that's a good enough reason I suppose. __________________ 2010 2SS TE, 1 of 822/2013 Camaro ZL1 vert, 1 of 54

11-15-2013, 09:11 PM	#7
chevy 3 NEcamaro5 Drives: Black 2ss rs 1LE Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: mass Posts: 4,328 View My Garage	I like your setup. I'm going to try later this winter. I think the console looks cleaner without the cup holder.

11-16-2013, 08:20 AM	#8
djcfuzz Do somethin fun every day Drives: 2012 45th V6 RS M6 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: North Port, FL Posts: 1,012 View My Garage	__________________ My garage: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/camaro...=view&id=16627

11-16-2013, 08:27 AM	#9
chevy 3 NEcamaro5 Drives: Black 2ss rs 1LE Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: mass Posts: 4,328 View My Garage	Good job.

11-16-2013, 09:15 AM	#10
tramtwo Drives: 2021 1LE Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: N'Awlinz Posts: 6,315	Nice

11-16-2013, 09:25 AM	#11
ihada69L78 Drives: 2023 Silverado LTZ, 2022 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 322	Nice idea. I like it!

11-04-2014, 07:32 PM	#12
djcfuzz Do somethin fun every day Drives: 2012 45th V6 RS M6 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: North Port, FL Posts: 1,012 View My Garage	Updated first post with new pics... __________________ My garage: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/camaro...=view&id=16627

11-05-2014, 08:59 AM	#13
Spartan01 Drives: Evil Eva, 2010 2SS LS3 Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Falls Church, Virginia Posts: 3,600	RPI Designs used to sell one of these. I bought it, then they dropped it from their product line. It is way more comfortable when cruising, and I think it adds a cleaner look to the interior. __________________ "You simply cannot trust quotes found on the internet." -Abraham Lincoln

11-05-2014, 10:35 AM	#14
trashmanssd Drives: Black 14 2SS/1LE/RS 14 Tundra Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Plymouth, Ma Posts: 2,414	I may have to try, But I am not very handy with that type of stuff. Love the Idea I have been looking to buy one for while. I hate the way it feels in a Standard with your hand on the shifter your arm sits in the cup holders very awkward feeling.